Thank You for Choosing Equity Red Star for Your Household Insurance

Silver Insurance

POLICY Thank you for choosing Equity Red Star for your household insurance. This document and the schedule set out what is and what is not covered, together with the sums insured and any special terms that may apply. They both form the contract of insurance between you and us and should be read together. Please check that they meet your needs and that you understand them. If you have any questions about these documents, please contact your insurance adviser who will be pleased to help you.

We aim to provide a service.

However, if you need to complain, or you feel that we have not kept our promise, please contact your insurance adviser.

If you are not happy with the way the matter is dealt with, please write to the Chief Executive of Equity Red Star. The address is: 52 Leadenhall Street London EC3A 2BJ.

Please include your cer ate number, which is shown on the schedule.

After this action, if you are still not sa with the way a complaint has been dealt with, you may ask the Policyholder & Market Assistance department at Lloyd’s to review your case. The address is: Policyholder & Market Assistance Lloyd’s Market Services One Lime Street London EC3M 7HA. Telephone: 020 7327 5693 Fax: 020 7327 5225 E-mail: [email protected]

Having followed this procedure your complaint can be referred to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS). The address is: The Financial Ombudsman Service South Quay Plaza II 183 Marsh Wall London E14 9SR.

(These procedures do not ect your right to take legal action if necessary.)

Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) As we are members of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), you may be entitled to compensation under the scheme if we cannot pay out all valid claims under this insurance. This depends on the type of policy you have and the circumstances of the claim. The scheme will cover 90% of the claim with no upper limit. For types of insurance you must have by law (such as third-party insurance for motor claims), the scheme will cover the whole claim. You can get more information about the scheme from the FSCS or you can visit their website at www.fscs.org.uk. Equity Red Star is managed by Equity Syndicate Management Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

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The contract of insurance

This document, the schedule and any endorsements form a legally binding contract of insurance between you and us.

The contract does not give, or intend to give, rights to anyone else. No-one else has the right to enforce any part of this contract. We may cancel or change any part of the contract without getting anyone else’s permission.

The contract is based on the information you provided in your proposal or statement of insurance. The insurance provided by this document covers liability, loss or damage that happens during any period of insurance for which you have paid, or agreed to pay, the premium. The insurance is provided under the terms and conditions contained in this document or in any endorsement applying to it.

This insurance is written in English and all communications about it will be in English. Unless we have agreed otherwise with you, this contract is governed by English law.

The Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 Clarification Clause

A person who is not directly involved in this insurance has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any term of this insurance. However, this does not affect any other rights they may have.

Signed for and on behalf of EQUITY RED STAR

Underwriter

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Index Page The contract of insurance ...... 1 Index ...... 2 Definitions ...... 3 Section one: Buildings ...... 5 Insured events...... 5 Extra benefits included with buildings...... 7 Accidental damage to buildings...... 9 Settling claims...... 10 Buildings liability...... 11 Liability as the owner of your present home...... 11 Liability as the owner of your previous homes...... 12 Section two: Contents ...... 13 Insured events...... 13 Extra benefits included with contents...... 15 Accidental damage to contents...... 18 Settling claims...... 19 Contents liability...... 20 Personal liability...... 20 Liability as the occupier of your home...... 20 Liability as a tenant...... 21 Accidents to domestic employees...... 22 Unpaid damages...... 22

Section three: Personal items ...... 23 1. Specified items...... 23 2. Unspecified valuables, clothing and personal belongings...... 23 3. Pedal cycles...... 23 Settling claims...... 24 Section four: Money and credit cards...... 25 Money...... 25 Credit cards...... 25 Season tickets...... 25 Section five: Legal expenses ...... 26 Definitions...... 26 What is covered...... 26 Conditions...... 26 Making a claim...... 27 Settling claims...... 27 General exclusions ...... 29 General conditions ...... 30 Endorsements ...... 32 Security ...... 36 Helpful hints ...... 37

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Definitions

The following words or phrases have the same meaning whenever they appear in this document, the schedule and endorsements. Accidental damage Damage caused as a direct result of a single unexpected event. Buildings Your home, greenhouses and sheds all on the same site, and used for domestic purposes, including central-heating oil tanks, gas tanks, septic tanks, hard tennis courts, fixed swimming pools, fixed hot tubs, fixed jacuzzis, fixed spas, terraces, patios, drives, paths, walls, fences, gates and landlord’s fixtures and fittings. Your home (unless shown differently on the schedule) must be built of brick, stone or concrete (but not pre-fabricated walls or panels), with a slate, tiled, concrete or felt roof. Unless shown on the schedule, no more than 30% of the roof area may be flat and covered with felt. Business equipment Furniture, computers (including keyboards and monitors), printers, modems, fax machines, photocopiers, typewriters and phone equipment in your home (other than equipment belonging to your employer). Contents Household goods, personal belongings, clothing and other items in your home, belonging to you or for which you are legally responsible, including: ■ money (up to £250 in total);

■ stamp, coin or other collections (up to £1,000 in total); ■ guests’ clothing and personal belongings (up to £500 in total); ■ valuables, pictures, works of art and curios: - up to 35% of the sum insured for contents in total for these items; - up to £5,000 for any one Plasma, Liquid Crystal Display, Digital Light Projection, Front-Projection or CRT Front-Projection television, free-standing hot tub, free-standing jacuzzi or free-standing spa; - up to £1,500 for any other one item, pair or set; and ■ business equipment (up to £5,000 in total). Contents does not include: ■ any property which is more specifically insured by this or other insurance; ■ any living creature;

■ motor vehicles, electrically-, mechanically-, or power assisted vehicles (other than domestic gardening equipment), caravans, trailers, aircraft, hang-gliders, hovercraft, land- or sand-yachts, parakarts, jet-skis or watercraft, or any parts or accessories for these items;

■ landlord’s fixtures and fittings; ■ securities, deeds, bonds, bills of exchange, promissory notes, documents and manuscripts;

■ any property used or held for business, profession or trade purposes other than business equipment; or ■ any part of the buildings, except improvements and decoration in your home for which you are legally responsible under a tenancy agreement. Credit cards Credit, cheque, debit and charge cards which belong to you and for which you are legally responsible. Family You, your domestic partner, children (including adopted and foster children), parents and other relatives who permanently live in your home. Home The private living accommodation, garages and outbuildings (but not a caravan or mobile home) used for domestic purposes, at the address shown on the schedule.

continued on page 4

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Definitions (continued)

Money Personal money kept by you for private purposes. Money is: ■ current coin or bank notes (which do not form part of a collection), cheques and traveller’s cheques; ■ postal or money orders, and current postage stamps;

■ Premium Bonds, and National Savings stamps and certificates; ■ gift vouchers or tokens; ■ travel tickets and phonecards; and ■ luncheon vouchers. Occupant You or a member of your family or a person authorised by you living in your home. Period of insurance The length of time covered by this insurance (as shown on the schedule) and any extra period for which we accept your premium. Personal belongings Articles which you are wearing, using or carrying. Personal belongings do not include: ■ tools or instruments used or held for business, profession or trade purposes; ■ valuables;

■ money and credit cards; ■ pedal cycles;

■ motor vehicles, electrically-, mechanically- or power assisted vehicles (other than domestic gardening equipment), caravans, trailers, aircraft, hang-gliders, hovercraft, land- or sand-yachts, parakarts, jet-skis or watercraft or any parts or accessories for these items; and ■ any property which is more specifically insured by this or other insurance. Self-contained Private living accommodation which has its own kitchen, bathroom and toilet, and separate and lockable entries and exits, which only you live in. Unfurnished Where your home is not furnished enough to be lived in. United Kingdom Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales), Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. Unoccupied Where your home has been left without an occupant for more than 30 days in a row. Valuables Articles of gold, silver, other precious metals, jewellery, gemstones, pearls, furs, watches, portable televisions, audio, video and computer equipment, telescopes, binoculars, photographic equipment, sports and/or camping equipment, musical instruments and guns belonging to you or for which you are legally responsible. We, us, our The insurer named on the schedule, which is made up of the Lloyd’s underwriters who have insured you under this contract. Each underwriter is only liable for their own share of the risk and not for any other’s share. You can ask us for the names of the underwriters and the share of the risk each has taken on. You, your The person or people named on the schedule and your family.

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Section one: Buildings

The schedule will show if this cover applies.

What is covered What is not covered

Insured events Loss or damage to your buildings during the The first £50 of every claim except for insured event 14. period of insurance caused by the following. 1 Fire and smoke. 2 Earthquake. 3 Explosion. 4 Lightning. 5 Aircraft and other flying objects or anything dropped from them. 6 Riot, civil commotion, strikes and labour or political disturbances.

7 Being hit by any vehicle, train or animal. ■ Loss or damage caused by pets. ■ Loss or damage caused to: - paths or drives by the weight of any vehicle; or - roads, land, pavements, piers, jetties, bridges and culverts (a tunnel carrying a stream or open drain under a road or railway).

8 Breakage or collapse of radio or television aerials, ■ Loss or damage to radio or television aerials, fixed satellite dishes, their fittings or masts. fixed satellite dishes, their fittings or masts. 9 Falling trees or branches, telegraph poles or ■ Loss or damage: lamp posts. - caused by cutting down or trimming trees or branches; or - to hedges, fences and gates. 10 Theft or attempted theft. ■ Loss or damage: - caused by you or your guests or tenants; - while your home is unfurnished, unoccupied, lent, let or sublet or is not self-contained, unless there has been forced and violent entry into or exit out of your home.

11 Malicious acts or vandalism. ■ Loss or damage: - caused by you or your guests or tenants; or - while your home is unfurnished or unoccupied. 12 Flood. ■ Loss or damage caused by: - frost; - subsidence, heave or landslip; or - rising ground water levels ■ Loss or damage to: - swimming pools, hot tubs, jacuzzis, spas, hedges, fences and gates; or - radio or television aerials, fixed satellite dishes, their fittings or masts.

continued on page 6

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Section one: Buildings (continued)

13 Water or oil leaking or spilling from any fixed ■ Loss or damage caused by: domestic water or heating installation, swimming pool, - subsidence, heave or landslip; hot tub, jacuzzi, spa, aquarium, washing machine or dishwasher. - faulty workmanship; or - chemicals or a chemical reaction; ■ Loss or damage: - to fixed domestic oil tanks, swimming pools, hot tubs, jacuzzis and spas; - to the installation itself; or - if the installation is outdoors or in an outbuilding, unless the installation is connected to a domestic heating boiler protected by a ‘frost-stat device’. ■ Loss or damage while your home is unfurnished or unoccupied.

14 Subsidence or heave of the site on which your ■ Loss or damage caused by: buildings stand, or landslip. - coastal or river erosion; - new structures bedding down, settling, expanding or shrinking; - newly made up (surfaced) ground settling; - faulty design, workmanship or materials; - construction work or repairing, demolishing or altering your buildings; - normal settlement, shrinkage or expansion; or - the action of chemicals on or the reaction of chemicals with any materials which form part of your buildings. ■ Loss or damage to: - swimming pools, hot tubs, jacuzzis, spas, hard tennis courts, terraces, patios, drives, paths, walls, fences and gates, unless the private living accommodation is damaged at the same time and by the same cause. - solid floor slabs or damage resulting from them moving, unless the foundations beneath the supporting walls of the private living accommodation are damaged at the same time and by the same cause; or - your buildings if the loss or damage is covered by law. ■ The first £1,000 of every claim.

15 Storm. ■ Loss or damage caused by: - frost; - subsidence, heave or landslip; or - rising ground-water levels.

■ Loss or damage to: - swimming pools, hot tubs, jacuzzis, spas, hedges, fences and gates; or - radio or television aerials, fixed satellite dishes, their fittings or masts.

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Extra benefits included with buildings

We will also cover the following.

1 Accidental breakage ■ Accidental breakage of fixed glass forming part ■ The first £50 of every claim. of your buildings (including the cost of necessary ■ Damage while your home is unfurnished boarding up before replacing broken glass). or unoccupied. ■ Accidental breakage of fixed sanitary fittings. ■ Damage caused by chewing, tearing, scratching or ■ Accidental breakage of ceramic glass in cooker hobs fouling by pets. of built-in units. ■ Accidental breakage of fixed solar panels forming part of your buildings.

2 Loss of rent or costs for alternative accommodation ■ Any amount over 15% of the sum insured for buildings for any one claim. While your home cannot be lived in as a result of loss or damage covered by an insured event under section one: Buildings, we will pay the following expenses or losses we have agreed to. Either: ■ rent you would have received from an existing tenant if your home could have been lived in; or ■ the cost of similar alternative accommodation for you, your family and your pets.

3 Selling your home

If you sell your home, from the date you exchange ■ Any claim for loss or damage to your buildings contracts we will give the buyer the benefit of section if the buyer is insured under any other insurance. one: Buildings until the sale is completed, as long as this is within the period of insurance.

4 Building fees and the cost of removing debris After a claim, which is covered by an insured event ■ Any costs: under section one: Buildings, we will pay the following - for preparing a claim; expenses or losses we have agreed to. - which relate to undamaged parts of your ■ The cost of architects’, surveyors’, civil engineers’, buildings, except the foundations of the solicitors’ and other fees to repair or rebuild your damaged parts of your buildings; buildings. - involved in meeting regulations and laws if ■ The cost of removing debris and demolishing or notice was served on you before the loss or supporting parts of your buildings which have damage happened; or been damaged, in order to make the site safe. - for making the site stable. ■ The extra costs of rebuilding or repairing the damaged parts of your buildings to meet any ■ Any amount over 12.5% of the sum insured for regulations or laws set by Acts of Parliament or buildings for any one claim. local authorities.

continued on page 8

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Extra benefits included with buildings (continued)

5 Accidental damage to underground cables, pipes ■ The first £50 of every claim. and tanks. ■ Damage while your home is unfurnished or ■ Accidental damage to underground cables, pipes unoccupied. and tanks serving your home for which you are ■ The cost of clearing blocked sewer pipes, drains, legally responsible. soakaways, underground pipes or tanks. ■ Damage caused by subsidence or heave of the land, or landslip.

6 Metered water

Accidental leakage of metered water caused by an ■ The first £50 of every claim. insured event. Up to £750 in any period of insurance for charges you have to pay to your water provider. You may only claim this benefit under one section of this document.

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Accidental damage to buildings

Accidental damage to your buildings.

We will pay for accidental damage to your buildings. ■ The first £75 of every claim. ■ Any damage caused by: - chewing, tearing, scratching or fouling by pets; - frost, the atmosphere, or fading caused by light; - your buildings moving, settling, shrinking, collapsing or cracking; - any process of cleaning, repairing, dyeing, renovating or maintaining your buildings; or - faulty workmanship, design or materials. ■ Damage to: - domestic fuel tanks, hard tennis courts, swimming pools, hot tubs, jacuzzis, spas, terraces, patios, drives, paths, walls, fences, gates, roads, land, pavements, piers, jetties, bridges and culverts. ■ Damage while: - your home is unfurnished, unoccupied, lent, let or sublet, or is not self-contained. ■ Damage shown under the ‘What is covered’ part of: - ‘Insured events 1 to 15’; and – ‘Extra benefits included with buildings’ in section one: Buildings. ■ Damage shown under the ‘What is not covered’ part of: - ‘Insured events 1 to 15’; and – ‘Extra benefits included with buildings’ in section one: Buildings.

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Settling claims

We will decide whether to pay the cost of repairing or replacing the part of your buildings damaged or destroyed if:

■ the sum insured is enough to pay to rebuild your buildings; ■ the repair or rebuilding is carried out immediately after we give our approval (other than emergency repairs, which should be carried out immediately); and

■ your buildings are in a good state of repair.

If the loss or damage to your buildings is not repaired or replaced as we have explained above, we will then decide to pay either:

■ the cost of repairing or replacing the damage, less a deduction for wear and tear; or ■ the difference between the market value of your home immediately before the damage and its value after the damage.

We will not pay the cost of replacing any undamaged or unbroken item or parts of items forming part of a pair, set, suite or collection of the same type, colour or design if the damage happens to one particular area or to a specific part and replacements cannot be matched. If we have discounted the premium for this section because you have not made any claims, we may reduce or remove the discount if you make a claim. The no claim discount is shown on the schedule.

Sum insured

The most we will pay under section one: Buildings is the sum insured for buildings shown on the schedule and adjusted in line with index-linking. This includes the extra expenses and fees listed under Extra benefit 4 ‘Building fees and the cost of removing debris’ in section one: Buildings.

Under-insurance

If at the time of any loss or damage the cost of rebuilding the whole of your buildings, in a new condition similar in size, shape and form, is more than the sum insured for buildings, we will pay only for the loss or damage in the same proportion. For example, if the sum insured only covers two-thirds of the cost of rebuilding your buildings, we will only pay two-thirds of the claim.

Maintaining the sum insured

After we have settled a claim, we will maintain the sum insured for buildings, as long as you take any reasonable measures we suggest to prevent any further loss or damage. (We will not charge any extra premium for maintaining the sum insured for buildings.)

Index linking

The sum insured for buildings will be index-linked and will be adjusted in line with the changes in the House Rebuilding Cost Index produced by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors or in line with any other index that we decide.

If you make a claim, index-linking will continue during the period when the repair or rebuilding is being carried out, as long as you take reasonable action for the repair or rebuilding to be carried out immediately.

We will not make a charge for index-linking during the period of insurance. However, each time your insurance is renewed, we will work out a new premium for the adjusted sum insured.

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Buildings liability

For the purpose of this section, bodily injury will include death and disease.

Liability as the owner of your present home

We will insure your liability as owner to pay for accidents You are not covered for liability arising: ■ happening in and around your home during the period as the occupier of your home; of insurance. We will provide this cover if the accident results in: ■ from any agreement or contract unless you would have been legally liable anyway; ■ bodily injury to any person other than you or a domestic employee; or ■ from criminal acts; ■ loss or damage to property which you (or your ■ as a result of an assault, alleged assault or a domestic employees) do not own or have legal deliberate or malicious act; responsibility for. ■ from owning or occupying any land or buildings other than your home; We will not pay more than £2,000,000 for any one event ■ where you are entitled to cover from plus any costs and expenses we have agreed to in writing. another source; ■ from any profession, trade or business; ■ If you die, your personal representatives will have the from paragliding or parascending; benefit of the cover under this section. ■ from any infectious disease or condition; or; ■ from you owning or using any: - power-operated lift; - electrically-, mechanically- or power assisted vehicles (including children’s motorcycles and motor cars), or horse-drawn vehicles (other than domestic garden equipment not licensed for road use); - aircraft, hang-gliders, hovercraft, land- or sand-yachts, parakarts, jet-skis or watercraft (other than rowing boats or canoes); - caravans or trailers; - animals other than your pets; or - animals of a dangerous species and livestock as defined in the Animals Act 1971 (other than horses used for private hacking); or - dogs listed under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, or the Dangerous Dogs (Northern Ireland) Order 1991, or any amending legislation.

continued on page 12

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Buildings liability (continued)

What is covered What is not covered (continued)

Liability as the owner of your present home (continued) You are not covered for liability arising from the following: ■ Liquidated damages Damages where the amount to be paid for failing to keep to the terms of a contract has been agreed by the people involved in the contract at the time the contract was made. ■ Punitive or exemplary damages Damages that punish the person they are awarded against, as well as compensate the person they are awarded to. ■ Aggravated damages Damages that are awarded when a person’s behaviour or the circumstances of a case increase the injury to the other person because they are humiliated, distressed or embarrassed. ■ Multiplying compensatory damages In some areas of the world, the amount of money awarded as compensation is multiplied as a punishment.

Liability as the owner of your previous homes You are not covered for liability arising: ■ from an incident which happens over seven years We will insure your liability under Section 3 of the after this insurance ends or your home Defective Premises Act 1972 or Section 5 of the Defective was sold; Premises (Northern Ireland) Order 1975 as owner of any ■ from any cause for which you are entitled to cover previous home which you occupied, for accidents under another source; happening in and around that home which result in: ■ from the cost of correcting any fault or alleged fault; ■ bodily injury to any person other than you or a or domestic employee; or ■ where a more recent insurance covers the liability. ■ loss or damage to property which you (or your domestic employees) do not own or have legal responsibility for.

We will not pay more than £2,000,000 for any one event plus any costs and expenses we have agreed to in writing.

If you die, your personal representatives will have the benefit of the cover under this section.

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Section two: Contents

Insured events

Loss or damage to your contents during the period of The first £50 of every claim insured under events 1 to15 insurance caused by the following.

1 Fire and smoke. 2 Earthquake. 3 Explosion. 4 Lightning. 5 Aircraft and other flying objects or anything dropped from them. 6 Riot, civil commotion, strikes and labour or political disturbances. 7 Being hit by any vehicle, train or animal. ■ Loss or damage caused by pets. 8 Breakage or collapse of radio or television aerials, fixed satellite dishes, their fittings and masts. 9 Falling trees or branches, telegraph poles or ■ Loss or damage caused by cutting down or trimming lamp posts. trees or branches.

10 Theft or attempted theft. ■ Loss or damage: - caused by you or your guests or tenants; - while your home is unfurnished, unoccupied, lent, let or sublet or is not self-contained, unless there has been forced and violent entry into or exit out of your home; - of money and credit cards unless there has been forced and violent entry into or exit out of your home; or - to valuables, pictures, works of art, curios, business equipment and money in any garage or outbuilding. ■ Any amount over £2,500 for loss or damage from any garage or outbuilding. (£5,000 for free-standing hot tubs, jacuzzis or spas).

11 Malicious acts or vandalism. ■ Loss or damage: - caused by you or your guests or tenants; or - while your home is unfurnished or unoccupied.

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Section two: Contents (continued)

12 Flood. ■ Loss or damage caused by: - frost; or - rising ground-water levels. ■ Loss or damage to property outside your home.

13 Water or oil leaking or spilling from any fixed ■ Loss or damage: domestic water or heating installation, swimming pool, hot tub, jacuzzi, spa, aquarium, washing - while your home is unfurnished or unoccupied; machine or dishwasher. - caused by faulty workmanship; - to free standing hot tubs, jacuzzis or spas; - to the installation itself; or - if the installation is outdoors or in an outbuilding, unless the installation is connected to a domestic heating boiler protected by a ‘frost-stat device’. ■ The cost of the water or oil.

14 Subsidence or heave of the site on which the ■ Loss or damage caused by: buildings stand, or landslip. - coastal or river erosion; - new structures bedding down, settling, expanding or shrinking; - newly made-up (surfaced) ground settling; - faulty design, workmanship or materials; - construction work, or repairing, demolishing or altering the buildings; or - solid floors moving, unless the foundations beneath the supporting walls of the private living accommodation are damaged at the same time and by the same cause.

15 Storm. ■ Loss or damage: - caused by frost; or - to property outside your home.

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Extra benefits included with contents

We will also cover the following.

1 Accidental breakage Accidental breakage of: ■ The first £50 of every claim. ■ glass tops and fixed glass in furniture; ■ ■ Damage while your home is unfurnished or unoccupied. ceramic glass in cooker hobs; and ■ Damage caused by chewing, tearing, scratching or ■ mirrors. fouling by pets. ■ The cost of repairing, removing or replacing frames.

2 Loss of rent, alternative accommodation or rent ■ Any amount over 15% of the sum insured for you pay contents for any one claim. While your home cannot be lived in as a result of loss or damage covered by an event insured under section two: Contents, we will pay the following expenses or losses we have agreed to. Either; ■ the amount of rent which you still have to pay, or would have received from an existing tenant; or ■ the cost of similar alternative accommodation for you, your family and your pets, including the cost of temporary storage for your furniture.

3 Television sets, video and audio equipment and computers Accidental damage to television sets, audio, video ■ The first £50 of every claim. and computer equipment in your home or radio or ■ Loss or damage caused by: television aerials, fixed satellite dishes, their fittings and masts attached to the buildings. - chewing, tearing, scratching or fouling by pets; - frost, the atmosphere, or fading caused by light; - any process of cleaning, repairing, renovating or maintaining the item; - heating, drying, dyeing, washing, restoring, dismantling or breakdown; - faulty workmanship, design or materials; or - information being erased or damaged on computer equipment. ■ Loss or damage to: - styluses, recording heads, records, audio tapes, video tapes or cassettes, disks and computer software; - mobile or portable phones or pagers; - computers or computer equipment designed to be portable, while it is being carried, moved or transported; or - video cameras and camcorders. 4 Metered water Accidental leakage of metered water caused by an ■ The first £50 of every claim. insured event. Up to £750 in any period of insurance for charges you have to pay to your water provider. You may only continued on page 16 claim this benefit under one section of this document.

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Extra benefits included with contents (continued)

5 Household removal

Accidental loss or damage to your contents in a ■ The first £50 of every claim. ■ removal vehicle while being removed by professional removal contractors, from your home to a new Loss or damage to: permanent address within the United Kingdom. - pictures, china, glass, pottery, porcelain or other The most we will pay will be the sum insured for brittle substances, and audio, visual and computer contents shown on the schedule. equipment, unless they are packed and loaded by professional removal contractors; - money, credit cards or valuables; and - property in store, except while it is in a locked removal vehicle overnight.

6 Contents temporarily removed from your home Loss or damage to your contents which are ■ The first £50 of every claim. ■ temporarily removed from your home for up to 60 Loss or damage: days in any one period of insurance, but only if the items are within the United Kingdom and the loss or - while your contents are in a furniture store, damage is caused by: salesroom, or exhibition; ■ insured events 1 to 9, or 11 or 13; or - caused by storm or flood while your contents are outside your home; ■ theft or attempted theft (involving a forced and violent entry) from any: - while your contents are worn, used or carried by you; or - bank or safe deposit or while being transported by you to and from any bank or safe deposit; - by theft or attempted theft unless there has been forced and violent entry or exit out of your home. - building, caravan, mobile home or boat used by you as temporary or holiday accommodation; - caravan or boat hired as holiday accommodation; or - building where you are living or working (other than while you are a student in full-time education).

The most we will pay is 20% of the sum insured for contents. But the most we will pay for loss or damage by theft or attempted theft to your contents in any garage or outbuilding is £2,500.

7 Contents outside but within the boundaries of your home Loss or damage caused by insured events 1 to 11, or 13 to ■ The first £50 of every claim. ■ your contents and garden furniture, toys or Loss or damage to: ornaments outside but within the boundaries of your home. - trees, plants, shrubs or garden produce; - money, credit cards, valuables, pictures, works of art and curios; or The most we will pay for any one event is £500 (£5,000 for free-standing hot tubs, jacuzzis and spas). - property in or on any motor vehicle, trailer, boat, caravan or mobile home.

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Extra benefits included with contents (continued)

8 Wedding gifts During 14 days before and 14 days after your wedding day, we will increase the sum insured for contents by 10% to cover your wedding gifts.

9 Christmas and birthday or wedding anniversaries During December, and also for seven days before and seven days after your birthday or wedding anniversary, we will increase the sum insured for contents by 10% to cover Christmas, birthday or wedding-anniversary gifts.

10 Locks and keys If your keys are lost or stolen, we will pay up to £250 ■ The first £50 of every claim. for the cost of replacing keys and locks to: ■ intruder alarms and safes installed in your home; and ■ an outside door of your home.

11 Fridge and freezer contents We will pay up to £100 for the cost of replacing ■ The first £50 of every claim. ■ food in your domestic fridge or deep freezer, if it is Loss or damage: spoiled by: - caused by your deliberate act or neglect; ■ the electricity or gas supply accidentally failing; or - caused by the deliberate act of the supply ■ the breakdown or loss of the refrigeration unit or failure of the thermostatic or automatic controlling authority or its employees (including strike device. action); or - if your gas or electricity supply is cut off because you have not paid a bill.

12 Compensation for death

If you die from an injury within six months of the ■ Any person under 16 years of age. injury happening, we will pay £5,000 for each person killed, as long as the injury happens in your home as a result of: ■ fire and smoke; ■ earthquake, explosion or lightning;

■ aircraft and other flying objects or anything dropped or falling from them;

■ strikes and labour or political disturbances; ■ being hit by any vehicle, train or animal; ■ theft or attempted theft; ■ storm or flood; or

■ riot or civil commotion.

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Accidental damage to contents

Accidental damage to your contents. ■ The first £75 of every claim.

We will pay for accidental damage to your contents ■ Any damage caused by: while they are in your home. - chewing, tearing, scratching or fouling by pets; - frost, the atmosphere, or fading caused by light; - any process of cleaning, repairing, dyeing, renovating or maintaining the item; - faulty workmanship, design or materials; - using your contents in a way which is different to the manufacturer’s instructions; or - information being erased or damaged on computer equipment.

■ Damage to: - contact lenses, money, credit cards, stamps, coins or other collections; - any powered machine while it is being used as a tool and if damage arises directly out of its use; - clothing (including furs), food and drink; and - free-standing hot tubs, jacuzzis and spas.

■ Damage while: - your home is unfurnished, unoccupied, lent, let or sublet, or is not self-contained.

■ Any amount over £1,000 for china, glass, pottery, porcelain or other brittle substances.

■ Damage shown under the ‘What is not covered’ part of: - ‘Insured events 1to15’; and - ‘Extra benefits included with contents’ in section two: Contents.

■ Damage shown under the ‘What is covered’ part of: - ‘Insured events 1to15’; and - ‘Extra benefits included with contents’ in section two: Contents.

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Settling claims

We will decide whether to pay the cost of repairing an item, or replacing it with a new item (in the same form and style) if it is lost or damaged beyond repair, except for:

■ clothing; ■ household linen; or ■ pedal cycles;

where we will take off an amount for wear and tear.

We will not pay the cost of replacing any undamaged or unbroken item or parts of items forming part of a pair, set, suite or collection of the same type, colour or design if the damage happens to one particular area or to a specific part and replacements cannot be matched. If we have discounted the premium for this section because you have not made any claims, we may reduce or remove the discount if you make a claim. The no claim discount is shown on the schedule.

Sum insured The most we will pay under section two: Contents is the sum insured for contents shown on the schedule, plus any index-linking.

Under-insurance If at the time of loss or damage the full cost of replacing your contents as new is more than the sum insured for contents, you will have to pay a share of the claim. For example, if the sum insured for contents only covers two-thirds of the replacement value of your contents, we will only pay two-thirds of the claim.

Maintaining the sum insured After we have settled a claim, we will maintain the sum insured for contents, as long as you take any reasonable measures we suggest to prevent further loss or damage. (We will not charge any extra premium for maintaining the sum insured for contents.)

Index linking The sum insured for contents will be index-linked. This means that the sum insured for contents will be adjusted in line with changes in the National Statistics Retail Price Index or in line with any other index that we decide.

If you make a claim, the index-linking will continue during the period when the repair or replacement is being carried out, as long as you take reasonable action for the repair or replacement to be carried out immediately.

We will not make a charge for index-linking during the period of insurance. However, each time your insurance is renewed, we will work out a new premium for the adjusted sum insured.

Proof of value and ownership To help you make a claim, we recommend that you keep receipts, instruction booklets, guarantee cards, valuations and photographs.

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Contents liability

For the purpose of this section, bodily injury will include death and disease.

Personal liability

Your legal liability to pay compensation for: You are not covered for any liability arising: ■ ■ bodily injury to any person other than you or a as the owner of your home; domestic employee; or ■ from any agreement or contract unless you would ■ loss or damage to property which you or your domestic have been legally liable anyway; employees do not own or have legal responsibility for. ■ from criminal acts; ■ as a result of an assault, alleged assault or a We will provide this cover for accidents which happen deliberate, or malicious act; during the period of insurance and within the United Kingdom (or during a temporary visit of not more than 30 ■ from owning or occupying any land or buildings days elsewhere in the world). other than your home; ■ where you are entitled to cover from another source; ■ from any profession, trade or business; We will not pay more than £2,000,000 for any one event plus any costs and expenses we have agreed to in writing. ■ from paragliding or parascending; ■ from any infectious disease or condition; If you die, your personal representatives will have the ■ for any mechanically-propelled vehicle where benefit of this section for your liability for an event any road traffic law says you must have insurance or covered by this section security; or ■ from you owning or using any: Liability as the occupier of your home - power-operated lift;

Your legal liability to pay compensation as occupier of your - electrically-, mechanically- or power assisted home and the land belonging to your home for any events vehicles (including children’s motorcycles and which result in: motor cars), horse-drawn vehicles (other than domestic garden equipment not licensed for ■ bodily injury to any person other than you or a road use); domestic employee; or - aircraft, hang-gliders, hovercraft, land- or sand- ■ loss or damage to property which you or your domestic yachts, parakarts, jet-skis or watercraft (other than employees do not own or have legal responsibility for. rowing boats or canoes); - caravans or trailers; We will not pay more than £2,000,000 for any one - animals other than your pets; event plus any costs and expenses we have agreed to in writing. - animals of a dangerous species and livestock as defined in the Animals Act 1971 (other than horses used for private hacking); If you die, your personal representatives will have the - dogs listed under the Dangerous Dogs Act benefit of this section for your liability for an event 1991 or the Dangerous Dogs (Northern Ireland) covered by this section. Order 1991, or any amending legislation; or - firearms, other than properly licensed shotguns.

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Contents liability (continued)

Personal liability and liability as the occupier of your home You are not covered for liability arising from the following. (continued)

■ Liquidated damages Damages where the amount to be paid for failing to keep to the terms of a contract has been agreed by the people involved in the contract at the time the contract was made. ■ Punitive or exemplary damages Damages that punish the person they are awarded against, as well as compensate the person they are awarded to. ■ Aggravated damages Damages that are awarded when a person’s behaviour or circumstances of a case increase the injury to the other person because they are humiliated, distressed or embarrassed. ■ Multiplying compensatory damages In some areas of the world, the amount of money awarded as compensation is multiplied as a punishment.

Liability as a tenant

We will pay up to 10% of the sum insured for contents for ■ The first £50 of every claim. ■ amounts that you legally have to pay under a tenancy agreement following: Loss or damage: - while your home is unfurnished or unoccupied; ■ loss or damage caused by insured events 1 to 13 of section one: Buildings; or or - shown under the ‘What is not covered’ part of ■ accidental damage and breakage as described in section one: Buildings under extra benefits 1 and 5. section one: Buildings We will only provide this cover if the loss or damage happens during the period of insurance.

If you die, your personal representatives will have the benefit of this section for your liability for an event covered by this section.

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Contents liability (continued)

Accidents to domestic employees

Your legal liability to pay compensation for accidental ■ Bodily injury arising from any infectious disease or bodily injury to a domestic employee under a contract condition. of service at the insured address.

We will pay up to £5,000,000, for any one event plus any costs and expenses we have agreed to in writing.

If you die, your personal representatives will have the benefit of this section for your liability for an event covered by this section.

Unpaid damages

We will pay up to £100,000 (including legal costs) which you have been awarded by a court within the United Kingdom and which have not been paid to you within three months of the date of the award. We will only provide this cover if: ■ there is not going to be an appeal; ■ the incident giving rise to the claim happened within the United Kingdom and during the period of insurance; ■ you would have been entitled to a payment under the personal liability part of section two: Contents if the award had been made against you rather than to you: and ■ the person who owes the award does not live with you.

We may take proceedings, at our own expense and for our own benefit, to recover any payment we have made under this insurance.

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Section three: Personal items

What is covered What is not covered The following applies to 1, 2, 3 and 4. Accidental loss, damage or theft anywhere in the world. 1 Specified items ■ The first £50 of every claim. We will pay the cost of replacing or repairing any item ■ Loss or damage involving the following. specified on the schedule. - Chewing, tearing, scratching or fouling by pets. We will not pay more than the sum insured for that item as shown on the schedule. - Frost, the atmosphere, or fading caused by light. - Deterioration, cleaning, heating, drying, dyeing, restoration, renovation or while being worked 2 Unspecified valuables, clothing and personal upon. belongings - Faulty workmanship, design or materials. We will pay the cost of replacing or repairing your valuables, clothing and personal belongings. - Items being confiscated or detained by customs or other officials. The most we will pay for any one item is £1,000 (unless shown differently on the schedule). - Scratching, denting or chipping. - Guns rusting or bursting their barrels.

3 Pedal cycles - Any amount over £750 if items are stolen from an unattended motor vehicle. We will not pay any We will pay the cost of replacing or repairing your amount if the property was not hidden in a glove pedal cycles or accessories. compartment, locked luggage compartment or locked boot and any window or sunroof was not The most we will pay for any one pedal cycle is £750 securely closed and all doors locked. (unless shown differently on the schedule). - Theft of jewellery unless it was being carried by hand under your supervision. - Any amount over £2,000 if jewellery is stolen from an unattended hotel or motel room. - Using an item in a way which is different to the manufacturer’s instructions. - Any property used or held for business profession or trade purposes. - Any property which you normally keep outside your home. ■ Loss or damage to: - recording heads, computer software, audio tapes, disks or cassettes; - money and credit cards; - any powered machine while used as a tool if the loss or damage arises directly out of its use; - phones or pagers left in unattended vehicles; - contact lenses or hearing aids while you are swimming or involved in any other water sports; or - sports equipment while in use.

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Section three: Personal items (continued)

■ Loss or damage: - caused by theft of pedal cycles left unattended while away from your home, unless they are locked to a permanent structure by a shop- bought cycle lock or kept in a locked building; - to pedal-cycle accessories or spare parts unless the cycle is stolen at the same time; - to the pedal-cycle while it is being used for racing, pace-making, is let out on hire or is used other than for private purposes; or - while your home is unfurnished, unoccupied, lent, let or sublet, or is not self-contained.

Settling claims

We will decide whether to pay the cost of repair or to replace the property if it is lost or damaged beyond repair (in the same form and style) as new, except for:

■ clothing; and ■ pedal cycles;

where we will take off an amount for wear and tear.

We will not pay the cost of replacing any undamaged or unbroken item or parts of items forming part of a pair, set, suite or collection of the same type, colour or design if the damage happens to one particular area or to a specific part and replacements cannot be matched.

The most we will pay under section three: Personal Items is the sum insured for personal items shown on the schedule. If we have discounted the premium for this section because you have not made any claims, we may reduce or remove the discount if you make a claim. The no claim discount is shown on the schedule.

Maintaining the sum insured After we have settled a claim, we will maintain the sum insured for personal items, as long as you take any reasonable measures we suggest to prevent any further loss or damage. (We will not charge any extra premium for maintaining the sum insured for personal items.) This only applies to sports and camping equipment and unspecified valuables, clothing and personal belongings.

Proof of value and ownership To help you make a claim, we recommend that you keep receipts, instruction booklets, guarantee cards, valuations and photographs. In settling claims for loss or damage to any specified item, valued £2,500 or more, you must send us the original purchase receipt, or a written valuation, which is less than five years old, from a professional valuer. If you are not able to provide this evidence of value, this may affect how we deal with your claim.

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Section four: Money and credit cards

We will pay for loss or damage to your money anywhere ■ Any losses which are not reported to the police in the world. within 24 hours of discovering the loss. ■ Loss of value or shortages due to mistakes. The most we will pay for any one claim is the amount ■ Loss or damage to money held for business, shown on the schedule. profession or trade purposes. ■ The first £50 of every claim.

Credit cards

We will pay up to the amount shown on the schedule ■ Any losses which are not reported to the police which you become legally liable to pay under the terms of and card company within 24 hours of discovering your personal credit card agreement if it is used by the loss. anyone without your permission anywhere in the world. ■ Any loss due to you breaking the conditions of using the credit card. ■ Any loss arising from unauthorised use by you or anyone living with you. ■ The first £50 of every claim.

Season tickets

If you have a season ticket to travel to and from your ■ Any loss not reported to the issuer of the season place of work, we will pay up to the amount shown on ticket within 24 hours of discovering the loss. the schedule for any period of the ticket which you cannot ■ The first £50 of every claim. use after it is lost.

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Section five: Legal expenses

The schedule will show if this cover applies. This insurance is managed by Arc Legal Assistance (Arc) and provided by Inter Partner Assistance. If you make a valid claim under this insurance, Arc will appoint their panel solicitors, or their agents, to handle your case. You are not covered for any other legal adviser’s fees unless court proceedings are issued.

Definitions

The additional word in bold in this section has the meaning shown below. Incident The event or series of events which may lead to a claim which happened on a specific date.

What is covered

Arc will pay the legal costs and expenses for legal proceedings started on your behalf and in connection with the following. 1 Consumer protection Disputes over selling, buying or hiring any goods or services, including selling or buying your home, where Arc consider that the amount in dispute is more than the likely cost of making a claim. 2 Residential Civil claims relating to physical damage to your home. 3 Personal injury Claims arising from your personal injury or death. 4 Employment Claims involving an employment tribunal (or its equivalent) in the United Kingdom arising from your contract of employment.

Arc will only provide cover if the incident arose during the period of insurance and the incident comes under the jurisdiction of a court in the United Kingdom.

If you are awarded costs, you must use these to repay the amount Arc have paid out on your behalf in connection with the proceedings. However, Arc will pay all legal costs and expenses up to the limit of this section, when no costs or compensation are awarded. If the legal costs and expenses are greater than the amount you are awarded for the legal costs and expenses, Arc will pay the excess amount (up to the limit under this section).

Conditions

The following conditions apply to this section. 1 When there is a claim or possible claim, you must tell Arc in writing as soon as possible. 2 You must give Arc, at your own expense, any information and evidence they need. You must not do anything to affect your case. 3 You must tell Arc about any other legal expense insurance which you have to cover the same loss. 4 Arc will have complete control over the legal proceedings. Arc will not have to keep to any promise you give without their approval. 5 If you do not accept any solicitor appointed by Arc, they will ask the Law Society to name another solicitor who you and Arc both agree to. During this time, Arc may appoint a solicitor to act on your behalf, to protect your interests. 6 Arc can take proceedings in your name (at their own expense and for their own benefit) to recover from the other person, any payment they have made under this insurance. 7 If there is any disagreement over the amount due to you, the matter will be passed to an arbitrator who you and Arc both agree to. When this happens, the arbitrator must make a decision before you can start proceedings against them. continued on page 27

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Section five: Legal expenses (continued)

Conditions (continued)

8 If a claim is made which you or anyone acting on your behalf knows is false, fraudulent or exaggerated, Arc will not pay the claim and cover under this insurance will end without us returning your premium.

Making a claim

This insurance only covers the legal fees of Arc’s panel solicitors or their agents until court proceedings are issued. If court proceedings are issued, you may put forward another solicitor to act for you. As soon as you have a legal problem that you may need help with under this insurance, you should phone the legal helpline on 0870 350 1730, quoting reference ‘ERS Arc Legal’. You can use the legal helpline to get legal advice on any private legal problem you are concerned about. When there is a claim or possible claim, you must contact the legal helpline and tell Arc about it. Arc will send you a claim form to fill in. You must tell Arc about all claims within 90 days of the incident and they will not cover legal costs and expenses you pay or agree to pay before they grant support. If Arc decide that a reasonable settlement is unlikely, or your interests would be better served by taking other action, they will let you know. Arc will not pay for any legal costs and expenses until they have accepted the claim in writing.

Settling Claims

Arc will pay up to £25,000 in total for any one event. What is not covered Arc will not pay legal costs and expenses for legal proceedings in the following circumstances. 1 Where Arc consider that you will not get a reasonable settlement or where any expected settlement is small in relation to the time and expense involved. 2 If Arc have not agreed to the costs and expenses. 3 If Arc are not told about the claim within 90 days of the incident causing it. 4 Any claim arising from selling, buying or hiring of goods or services where the incident happened before the date the period of insurance starts. 5 Claims arising from selling or buying a home unless the incident happened at least 120 days after the period of insurance started. 6 Claims over boundary disputes. 7 Claims involving a motor vehicle owned by you or for which you are legally responsible. 8 Claims which relate to fines and penalties awarded against you by a criminal court. 9 Claims involving disputes with us, our agents, Arc or the legal representatives instructed to act on your behalf. 10 Claims involving actions carried out to fulfill a judgement or a legally-binding decision. 11 Where the incident leading to your claim happened outside the United Kingdom.

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Section five: Legal expenses (continued)

Settling claims (continued)

What is not covered (continued) Arc will not pay for the following. ■ Claims caused by, contributed to or arising from: - a contract entered into or in connection with any business, trade or profession, apart from the cover provided in ‘What is covered’ item 4 Employment. - a criminal or deliberate act by you; - libel, slander or verbal injury; - personal injury based predominantly on industrial disease, psychological injury or faults in medicinal products; - an allegation of clinical negligence; - constructing buildings or altering their structure; - disputes with financial services providers; - disputes with any government or public or local authority, apart from the cover provided in ‘What is covered’ item 4 Employment. - planning law; - patents, copyrights, trademarks, merchandise marks, service marks, registered designs, intellectual or artistic property, secrecy or confidentiality agreements; - divorce, matrimonial matters or proceedings including parental responsibility, contact or paying maintenance; - a lease or licence to use land or property; or - an application for a judicial review. ■ Travelling expenses or compensation for being absent from work.

■ Legal costs and expenses if a member withdraws from legal proceedings without Arc’s agreement. ■ Legal claims which are covered under a more specific insurance or if a claim has been refused by another insurance company. ■ The first £250 of any claim under ‘What is covered’ item 4 Employment. Customer service Arc’s aim is to get it right, first time, every time. If they make a mistake, they will try to put it right straightaway. If you are unhappy with the service that has been provided, you should contact them at the address below. They will always confirm to you, within five working days, that they have received your complaint. Within four weeks, you will receive either a final response or an explanation of why the complaint has not been sorted as yet, plus an indication of when you will receive a final response. Within eight weeks you will receive a final response or, if this is not possible, a reason for the delay plus an indication of when you will receive a final response. After eight weeks, if you are unhappy with the delay, you may refer your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service. You can also refer to the Financial Ombudsman Service if you cannot settle your complaint with Arc. Arc’s contact details are: Arc Legal Assistance Ltd Lodge House Lodge Lane Langham Colchester CO4 5NE

Phone: 0870 350 4400 E-mail: [email protected]

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General exclusions

The following exclusions apply to the whole of your insurance.

This insurance does not cover: ■ direct or indirect loss or damage to any property; ■ any legal liability; ■ costs and expenses; or

■ death or injury to any person; caused by, contributed to, or arising from, the following.

1 Radioactive contamination from: - ionising radiation or contamination from any nuclear fuel, or from any nuclear waste arising from burning nuclear fuel; or - the radioactive, toxic, explosive or other dangerous effect of any explosive nuclear equipment or part of that equipment. 2 War, invasion, civil war, revolution and any similar event. 3 Loss of value after we have made a claim payment. 4 Pressure waves from aircraft and other flying objects travelling at or above the speed of sound. 5 Pollution or contamination of air, water or soil, unless the pollution or contamination is directly caused by an event which is sudden, identifiable, unintended and unexpected. The whole event must happen at a specific time and place during the period of insurance. We will not cover claims arising from pollution or contamination which happen as a result of deliberately releasing substances, or as a result of leaks, other than water or oil leaking or spilling from your fixed domestic water or heating systems. 6 Computer viruses or electronic data being erased or corrupted. The failure of any equipment to correctly recognise the date or a change of date. In this exclusion, computer virus means an instruction from an unauthorised source that corrupts data and which spreads over a computer system or network. 7 Wear and tear, corrosion, rot of any kind, woodworm, fungus, mildew, rust, insects, moth, any cause that happens gradually, or mechanical or electrical breakdown. 8 Indirect loss of any kind. 9 Biological or chemical contamination due to or arising from: - terrorism; or - steps taken to prevent, control or reduce the consequences of any suspected, threatened or attempted terrorism. In this exclusion, terrorism means any act of any person or organisation involving: - causing or threatening harm; or - putting the public or any section of the public in fear; if it is likely that the purpose is of a political, religious, ideological (of an intellectual or rational nature) or similar nature.

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General conditions

The following conditions apply to the whole of your insurance.

1 Reasonable care You must keep your property in a good condition and state of repair and take all reasonable care to prevent loss or damage, accident, bodily injury or legal proceedings. If legal proceedings are under way, you must tell us immediately and take all reasonable steps to reduce the costs of these proceedings.

2 Telling us about a change You must tell us immediately about any change in the information given to us which is relevant to this insurance. If you do not, your insurance may not be valid or may not cover you fully. If you are not sure whether any information is relevant, you should tell us anyway.

You must tell us about the following if you. a plan to convert or extend your buildings; b buy new furniture or other household goods as the sum insured for contents may need to be increased. (please read how we settle claims under section two: Contents); c change your address; d plan to leave or make your home unfurnished; e stop living in your home; f regularly leave your home unattended by day or by night; or g change how your home is used (for example, start a business) or take in lodgers, tenants or paying guests. You must tell us immediately if your home becomes occupied or unoccupied. We may adjust the premium if necessary.

We have the right to change any terms and conditions of this insurance when you tell us about a change.

3 Claims When there is a claim or possible claim, you must tell us in writing as soon as possible. For loss or damage claims, you must give us (at your own expense) any documents, information and evidence we need. You must also tell the police immediately if the loss is caused by riot, malicious acts, theft or any attempted theft, or is being made as a result of loss of property outside your home. You must take all reasonable steps to recover any lost or stolen property and to prevent any further loss or damage. For liability claims, you must send us any statement of claim, legal process or other communication (without answering them) as soon as you receive it. Do not discuss, negotiate, pay, settle, admit or deny any claim without our written permission.

4 Our rights after a claim We may enter any building where loss or damage has happened, take possession of the insured damaged property and deal with any salvage in a reasonable way. However, you must not abandon any property.

Before or after we pay your claim under this insurance, we may take over, defend or settle any claim in your name.

We can also take proceedings, at our own expense and for our own benefit, to recover any payment we have made under this insurance.

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General conditions (continued)

5 Fraudulent claims If a claim is made which you or anyone acting on your behalf knows is false, fraudulent or exaggerated, we will not pay the claim and cover under this insurance will end without us returning your premium.

6 Disagreement over amount of claim If we accept your claim, but disagree over the amount due to you, the matter will be passed to an arbitrator who both you and we agree to. When this happens, the arbitrator must make a decision before you can start proceedings against us.

7 Cancellation Your right to change your mind You may cancel the insurance, without giving reason, by sending us written notice and returning the insurance documents within 14 days of it starting or (if later) within 14 days of you receiving the insurance documents.

We will make a charge equal to the period of cover you have had, but this charge will be at least £25 plus the Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) Cancellation after the withdrawal period You may cancel this insurance after the withdrawal period by giving us notice in writing. We will refund the part of your premium which applies to the remaining period of insurance, (as long as you have not made a claim within the period of insurance).

We may cancel the insurance by sending you 14 days’ notice to your last known address. We will refund the part of your premium, which applies to the remaining period of insurance (as long as you have not made a claim).

We may cancel the insurance immediately if you do not pay a premium or fail to pay a premium under any direct debit instalment scheme. We will not refund any premium you have paid by instalments. If we have accepted a claim for loss or damage under this insurance, we may take any premium instalments you owe from the claim payment.

8 Other insurance If, at the time of any loss, damage or liability covered under this insurance, you have any other insurance which covers the same loss, damage or liability, we will only pay our share of the claim even if the other insurer refuses the claim.

9 More than one home Each home covered by this insurance will be insured as though a separate document had been sent to each.

10 Payment by instalments If you have agreed to pay your premium by instalments, the following will apply.

■ If you do not pay an instalment when it is due, or if the instalment instruction has been cancelled for any reason, you must pay all the remaining instalments and any administration fee within 14 days of receiving the written notice. If you do not pay the amount you owe within these 14 days, we will cancel the remaining cover under this insurance by sending you 14 days notice, as shown in general condition 7. We will then send you confirmation of the cancellation.

■ If any extra premium is needed during the period of insurance, it will be spread out over the remaining instalments due for that year. If you have already paid all your instalments, you must immediately pay any extra premium when it is due.

■ If we owe you any premium, the amount we owe may be taken off the instalments due for the year.

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Endorsements

Important: This appendix forms part of the insurance.

An endorsement only applies if the endorsement’s number is shown in the relevant place on the schedule. Details of all endorsements are shown either in this appendix or on a separate sheet supplied with the schedule.

The general terms, conditions and exceptions apply to all endorsements.

Endorsement number H1 - Other interest The name shown on the schedule has a financial interest in your buildings.

Endorsement number H2 - Minimum security clause All doors and windows to the home must be secured by:

■ five-lever mortise deadlocks, to British Standard 3621 on all outside doors; or ■ built-in deadlocking cylinder locks and security bolts if the door is double glazed; or

■ mortise security bolts or other key operated locks to British Standard 3621 fitted at the top and bottom of each portion of french windows or double sliding patio doors; and

■ all opening sections of the basement, ground floor or easily accessible windows to the home are secured by key-operated window locks. The locks and security bolts must be locked and secured overnight or when no authorised person is in the home. We will not provide any cover in section two (Contents) or section three (Personal items) for loss or damage arising out of Insured event 10 (Theft or attempted theft) unless the protection listed is put into full and effective operation whenever the home is left unattended or when you have gone to bed. This does not apply to locks on the windows of bedrooms where people are sleeping. All keys must be removed from the locks or bolts and hidden from view whenever the home is left unattended.

Endorsement number H7 - Excess clause (Buildings) We will not pay the first amount shown on the schedule for any claim under section one:Buildings. The amount shown is on top of any other amount which you may have to pay under this insurance.

Endorsement number H8 - Unoccupancy The 30-day limit does not apply and the following terms do apply.

While your home is unoccupied:

■ during the period from November to March all main supplies must be turned off and the water and central-heating systems must be drained, unless the central-heating system is kept running to maintain a temperature of 15°C throughout your home;

■ we will not cover valuables, money or credit cards; and ■ you, or an authorised person, must inspect the inside of your home at least once every seven days; We will not pay the first £200 of every claim. This amount is on top of any other amount which you may have to pay under this insurance.

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Endorsements (continued)

Endorsement number H12 - Alarm ■ The intruder alarm, which we have details of, must be used: - overnight; and - whenever there are no authorised people in your home.

■ The alarm must be maintained in full working order under a contract with the installer or as otherwise approved by us. Any fault brought to your notice must be corrected immediately. ■ Theft cover will not be affected by any fault in the intruder alarm which is due to circumstances beyond your control. ■ You must not alter the intruder alarm system without telling us.

■ You must immediately tell the intruder alarm installer or the maintenance provider and us if the police withdraw response to alarm calls.

Endorsement number H13 - Protecting specified items When the specified items shown against this endorsement number on the schedule are not being worn, they must be kept in the safe which we have details of. All keys and duplicate keys of the safe should be removed from your home, whenever there are no authorised people in your home.

Endorsement number H14 - Excess clause (Contents) We will not pay the first amount shown on the schedule for any claim under section two: Contents. The amount shown is on top of any other amount which you may have to pay under this insurance.

Endorsement number H18 - Buildings used partly for business, profession or trade purposes The buildings will include those areas which have been declared to us as being used in connection with your business, profession or trade.

Endorsement number H27 - Subsidence, heave or landslip clause Insured event 14 in section one: Buildings and section two: Contents is deleted.

Endorsement number H33 - Contractor’s clause We will not pay for any loss, damage or liability arising out of the activities of any contractor.

Endorsement number H45 - Settings warranty We will not provide any cover in section three: Personal items for loss or damage to stones or repairs to settings of any items of jewellery, which have a value of more than £2,500, unless the jewellery has been examined at least once every two years by a competent jeweller. We need written confirmation from the jeweller that all settings are in good order.

Endorsement number H71 - Holiday Home Endorsement (Silver) While the home is occupied: We will not pay the first £100 for any claim under section one: Buildings or section two: Contents. The amount shown is on top of any other amount which you may have to pay under this insurance.

While the home is unoccupied: The 30-day limit does not apply and the following terms do apply. While the home is unoccupied by you or an authorised person: ■ during the period from 1st November to 31st March all main supplies must be turned off and the water and central- heating systems must be drained, unless the central-heating system is kept running to maintain a minimum temperature of 15˚C throughout the home; ■ an authorised person must inspect the inside of the buildings at least every thirty days; ■ Extra benefit 1 Accidental breakage of section one: Buildings is deleted; and ■ Section five: Legal Expenses cover is deleted. We will not pay the first £250 of any claim. This amount is on top of any other amount which you may have to pay under this insurance.

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Endorsement number H136 - Restriction of Contents Cover The definition of Contents is replaced with the following: - Household furniture, carpets and curtains. Contents does not include the following. - money - stamp, coin or other collections - valuables, pictures, works of art or curios - guests clothing and personal belongings - any property which is more specifically insured by other insurance - your pets or other animals - motor vehicles, caravans, trailers, watercraft, aircraft or any accessories for these items - securities, deeds, bonds, bills of exchange, promissory notes, documents and manuscripts - any property connected with your business, profession or trade Contents cover (as defined above) is restricted to insured events 1 to 15 of section two. Cover under section two: Contents Extra benefit 1 (Accidental breakage) is deleted. Insured event 10 in section two: Contents is deleted and replaced with the following: Insured event 10 Theft or attempted theft following a forced and violent entry into or exit from your home. Excluding loss or damge: - caused by you or your guest or tenants; - while your home is unfurnished or unoccupied

Endorsement number H138 - Deletion of accidental damage and breakage Cover under section one: Buildings, Extra benefit 1 (Accidental breakage) is deleted.

Endorsement number H139 - Deletion of accidental breakage Cover under section two: Contents, Extra benefit 1 (Accidental breakage) is deleted.

Endorsement number H140 - Deletion of legal expenses Section five: Legal expenses cover is deleted.

Endorsement number H142 - Jewellery clause We will not provide cover for loss of jewellery caused by theft or disappearance unless it is:

■ being worn by you; ■ kept in a bank or locked safe; or ■ being carried by hand under your supervision.

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Endorsement number H146 - Tenanted property You have told us, and we have agreed, that you have let your home to a family. That family lives in your home, and you have given us information about them. If there are any changes to that information, for example, a change in the employment of family members who live there or a change in the tenancy, you must tell us immediately.

If you fail to give us up-to-date information, and a claim arises, we may decide not to pay the claim.

You must meet all local and national authority regulations governing rented accommodation. If you do not meet these regulations and a claim arises, we may decide not to pay the claim.

The following restrictions will apply to your insurance and change the cover shown in your document.

■ If you have cover under section one: Buildings, we will not cover accidental damage or breakage of double-glazing, fixed sanitary fittings, fixed solar panels or ceramic glass in cooker hobs of built-in units. ■ If you have cover under section two: Contents, we will not cover accidental damage or breakage of double-glazing, glass tops and fixed glass in furniture, ceramic glass in cooker hobs, mirrors or television sets; and ■ we will not cover valuables, money or coin, medal and stamp collections.

We will not pay the first £100 of any claim under section one: Buildings or section two: Contents. The amount is on top of any other amount which you may have to pay under this insurance.

Endorsement number H147 - Tenanted property non standard You have told us, and we have agreed, that you have let your home to tenants and you have given us information about that tenancy. If there are any changes to that information, for example, a change of tenants, you must tell us immediately.

If you fail to give us up-to-date information, and a claim arises, we may decide not to pay the claim.

We will not provide the cover shown in your document for accidental damage or breakage of double-glazing, fixed sanitary fittings, fixed solar panels or ceramic glass in cooker hobs of built-in units.

The following conditions will apply on top of those shown in your document. ■ You must meet all local and national authority regulations governing rented accommodation. ■ The bedrooms of your home must not be used for cooking, other than making tea or coffee. ■ Portable heaters, other than electric-powered fan or convector types, must not be used in any bedroom of your home. ■ You or an authorised person must inspect the inside of your home at least once every month. ■ All rubbish stored in your buildings must be removed each week.

If all of the conditions shown above are not met, and a claim arises, we may decide not to pay the claim.

We will not pay the first £250 of any claim. This amount is on top of any other amount which you may have to pay under this insurance.

Endorsement number H152 - Restriction of theft cover Insured event 10 in section two: Contents is deleted and replaced with the following. Insured event 10 Theft or attempted theft following a forced and violent entry or exit from your home. We will not cover loss or damage:

■ caused by you or your guests or tenants; ■ while your home is unfurnished or unoccupied; or ■ to valuables, pictures, works of art, curios, business equipment and money in any garage or outbuilding. Any amount over £2,500 for loss or damage from any garage or outbuilding is not covered.

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Security

It is important that you take all reasonable measures to avoid loss or damage from your home by improving security. By making access to your home difficult, thieves will be put off.

For you to get our home protection and home-alarm protection premium reductions, you must fit the security devices and the intruder alarm to the quality shown below. (Intruder alarms and locking devices on doors and windows do not always reduce the premium, as these may be a condition of providing you with insurance.)

We may insist that you keep valuables in a safe.

Doors On all doors into your buildings, you should fit a five-lever mortise deadlock to British Standard 3621.

If you have French windows or double sliding patio doors, you should, where possible, fit mortise security bolts or a key- operated lock to the top and bottom of each opening part of the door.

If you have aluminium-framed sliding or patio doors, you should, where possible, fit detachable key-operated runner locks.

Key-operated security bolts fitted to the top and bottom of all doors into the property will give you greater security.

Windows All opening sections of basement, ground-floor or easily accessible windows without using ladders should be fitted with key operated locks.

If you need any help or advice on security for your home, contact a member of the Master Locksmith Association.

Intruder alarm If you plan to get a quote for an intruder alarm, you should check that the installer is a registered member of the National Approval Council for Security Systems (NACOSS), Integrity 2000 or Alarm Inspectorate Security Council (AISC).

If you need any help or advice with intruder alarms, contact the National Approval Council for Security Systems (NACOSS).

36 Helpful hints

We recommend that you take simple precautions for your own safety to prevent accidents and reduce the likelihood of loss or damage. This could avoid distress and inconvenience as well as financial loss.

Fire prevention Do ■ Check your electrical equipment regularly, make certain that correct fuses are used and do not overload the circuits. Follow maker’s instructions, particularly for electric blankets. Hire a competent electrician if you are in doubt. ■ Always unplug non-essential appliances before you go to bed at night especially electric blankets. ■ Be careful with cigarette ends, ashtrays and hot irons. ■ Install a suitable fire extinguisher. You should put one in the kitchen.

■ Make sure that all open fires are properly guarded - even if they appear to be out - especially at night. ■ Have your chimney swept, and flues regularly checked, at least once a year (if you use open fires).

Don’t ■ Smoke in bed.

■ Move or fill oil heaters when they are alight. ■ Let children play with matches or fire. ■ Leave a pan of fat unattended on the cooker.

Water damage ■ Insulate exposed water pipes and tanks in the roof area.

■ Turn off the water supply and drain out the system if you leave the property empty in the winter months. Or leave the central heating on throughout the home to maintain a minimum temperature of 15°C and consider leaving the loft access open so that warm air can move into the roof space. This will reduce the possibility of the pipes and tank freezing. ■ If, despite your precautions, your pipes freeze, thaw them out slowly using hot-water bottles or hairdryers. Never use a blowlamp or warm-air paint stripper gun.

Security ■ Make sure you have good-quality locks (approved to British Standard) fitted to all of your outside doors and all accessible windows.

■ Use the door and window protections when you leave the home unattended - day or night - and remove the keys from the locks (including garage). ■ Do not leave keys under the mat or inside the letter box or anywhere else they can be found easily. ■ Leave a light, on a timer, in a room other than the hall when you are out in the evening or overnight. ■ Do not leave large amounts of money at home. ■ Do not leave valuable property in unattended vehicles.

■ Photograph your valuables and keep copies of valuations and receipts. These are extremely helpful in the event of theft or loss, not only to us but also to the police.

■ If you doubt the effectiveness of your existing door or window locks or bolts, please see the main security section.

When you go away on holiday ■ Tell your local Neighbourhood Watch about your holiday.

■ Stop newspaper and milk deliveries; do not advertise your absence. ■ Place any valuables, which are not being carried or worn, in safe custody with a bank or other suitable deposit.

■ Make certain that all doors and windows are closed and locked. If you have an alarm, make sure this is switched on. ■ Leave your key with a trusted neighbour and ask them to look in and inspect your home occasionally.

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